Question of the Day

Whose side of the story do you believe?

Story TOpics

FILE - In this April 4, 2015, file photo, President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves to the audience during the opening session of the Mormon church conference in Salt Lake City. Monson, ... more >

Monson was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served in top leadership positions for more than 50 years, making him a well-known face and personality to multiple generations of Mormons.

Romney says in a statement that he’ll remember Monson’s compassion for the downtrodden. Osmond tweeted a picture of her embracing Monson, saying he was always there for her family. Beck recalls Monson’s kindness and humility.

Condolences also came in from Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who announced his retirement Tuesday.

Monson spent more than five decades serving in top church leadership councils - making him a well-known face and personality to multiple generations of Mormons.

Monson’s presidency was marked by his noticeably low profile during a time of intense publicity for the church, including the 2008 and 2012 campaigns of Mormon Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination, and the faith’s involvement in the passage of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in California.

The next church president was not immediately named, but is expected to be Russell M. Nelson. He is the next longest-tenured member of the church’s governing Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.